FOXBORO -- After the first of two joint practices in advance of their preseason game Thursday night at Gillette Stadium, interim Saints coach Joe Vitt and Patriots coach Bill Belichick exchanged compliments of each other's organizations. Vitt went as far as to call the Patriots "the Microsoft of the NFL" as a model franchise. Belichick was humbled by the praise.

"We just try to go out and work hard and get better every day," Belichick said. "We know there are a lot of other great organizations and teams and players and coaches out there. So, it's a good challenge every week. Certainly, the Saints are one of the top teams in professional football. They're well-coached, have great talent, good players, good schemes. They win a lot of games.

"We played against them two years ago, practiced against them two years ago in their championship season so there isn't any team really that we have more respect for than the...

Red Sox reliever Scott Atchison, on the disabled list since mid-July due to a strained forearm and then elbow, received what he deemed as "good news" when he saw Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., on Monday. Andrews told Atchison that the tear of his ulnar collateral ligament appeared to be a pre-existing condition that he may have been pitching with for years, and that his acute elbow discomfort during a recent rehab game in Triple-A Pawtucket represented a normal (and potentially manageable) situation rather than a sudden change in the tear that would require surgery.

As such, Andrews told the reliever, season-ending Tommy John surgery may be avoidable. For now, the 36-year-old will rest for a period of weeks before potentially commencing a throwing program that could have him back pitching for the Red Sox sometime this year. Atchison said that he was "very optimistic" about the possibility that he will pitch again this season....

Will Middlebrooks will sit Tuesday as the Red Sox host the Rangers in the second game of a three-game set at Fenway Park. Taking the mound for Boston is Jon Lester, who is coming off one of his most promising starts of the season in the form of an eight-inning performance in which he allowed three earned runs and fanned seven against the Twins last week.

Countering for the Rangers is Ryan Dempster, who is making his second start for Texas since being acquired from the Cubs prior to the trade deadline. Dempster lasted just 4 2/3 innings but picked up an improbable win in an outing that saw him yield eight earned runs to the Angels.

A cheerful Josh Beckett joined WAAF's Hill Man Morning Show Tuesday to discuss his situation with the Red Sox and the upcoming sixth annual Beckett Bowl.

Following are highlights of the interview. For the complete transcript of baseball and Red-Sox related questions, click here. To hear the complete interview, click here.

On whether he feels he's misunderstood by fans and media:

"I think for me, I'm just me. I don't pay too much mind to when people have their opinions about it. I'm not going to change and I think sometimes that's kind of what the media outlets want you to do here. They want you to be who they want you to be instead of just who you are. I'm just me, and I have a really good support group around me. As long as I don't do anything to piss my wife off, I'll be OK...

FOXBORO -- The Patriots and Saints have adjusted their joint practice on Tuesday outstide Gillette Stadium to accomodate the travel of coaches Bill Belichick and Joe Vitt, both of whom attended the funeral of Garrett Reid, the son of Eagles coach Andy Reid.

Practice will begin at approximately 2 p.m. and run to 4:30 p.m. with both coaches speaking on the field to the media afterward.

Belichick and Vitt both have close ties to Reid and traveled to Philadelphia for Tuesday morning's services. Garrett Reid, 27, was found dead in his Lehigh University dorm room at Eagles training camp early Sunday morning.

The Patriots will practice with the Saints on Tuesday afternoon and again on Wednesday morning before meeting in the Patriots preseason opener Thursday night at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The Saints beat the Cardinals, 17-10, Sunday night in the annual NFL Hall of Fame game in Canton, OH.

Butch Stearns joins Glenn and Fred to react to the Patriots victory over the Rams. They discuss Tom Brady's record setting 201st quarterback victory and debate if he is truly the greatest player of all time.

WEEI.com's Mike Petraglia and Ben Kichen of the 'Dale and Holley Show' talk about what the Celtics will need to do in order to be considered one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference along with the Cavs.

The first hour of Saturday Skate starts up against the third period of Bruins - Sabres, so Ken Laird and Rear Admiral give some Red Sox hot stove and Rob Gronkowski thoughts before moving into Bruins - Sabres game reaction

Mut defends himself in voting for Trump despite Alex Reimer's claim that he only voted for him because he goes along with whatever Gerry said. Damien Woody joins the guys for his second Friday interview.

Damien Woody praises Tom Brady's work ethic and thinks he can play three or four more seasons. Woody thinks Brady pushed the limits on Deflategate but it didn't play a role in the Patriots beating the Colts in the 2014 AFC Championship game.

Glenn, Lou, and Christian are starting to think that the Ravens are the Pats biggest Rival. They cite the frequency with which they play, the importance of their games, the fact that the Ravens have won in Foxborough, and that they always play close games.

Glenn, Lou, and Christian react to John Tomase's comments on "The Hot Stove Show" last night, where he bagged on Dave Dombrowski fro decimating the Red Sox Farm System. Lou feels very strongly that Prospects exist to get big time Players. He also feels that the Red Sox are already the Chicago Cubs. Glenn rails against Tomase and other "Prospect Hoarders." Christian talks about "Beanie Babies."

Glenn, Lou, and Christian discuss Pablo Sandoval's conversation with ESPN Deportes, where he talks about a renewed interest in Baseball, getting healthy, and wanting his son to be able to see him play at a high level.

Kirk Minihane and Rich Keefe sit down to talk about what its like to join an already established show, how his start with the station has been received, and Kirk tries to get Rich to dish on his relationships with his former co-workers. For you listeners who think they may want to get into radio, Kirk gives Rich advice that could pertain to you as well.

Kirk Minihane, WEEI Podcast King, talks to the Podcast Godfather Adam Carolla about his new documentary about Le Mans, the backlash from the Election, and his time with Donald Trump on the Apprentice. The audio quality isn't great but the conversation is.

Kirk Minihane is a non-believer, Larry Johnson is a preacher, when Larry found Kirk doesn't believe in God he challenged Kirk to allow him on to the podcast to talk about religion and faith. Kirk and Larry have a tremendous conversation about God and Larry tries to convert Kirk into a believer.

Kirk Minihane and Rich Keefe sit down to talk about what its like to join an already established show, how his start with the station has been received, and Kirk tries to get Rich to dish on his relationships with his former co-workers. For you listeners who think they may want to get into radio, Kirk gives Rich advice that could pertain to you as well.

Episode 2 of the official podcast of Kirk & Callahan, as Kirk and Gerry acknowledge their first real on-air fight on that morning's show. The guys also discuss newbie Rich Keefe, Gary Tanguay, and Larry Bird's 60th birthday

Kirk Minihane and Rich Keefe sit down to talk about what its like to join an already established show, how his start with the station has been received, and Kirk tries to get Rich to dish on his relationships with his former co-workers. For you listeners who think they may want to get into radio, Kirk gives Rich advice that could pertain to you as well.

Episode 2 of the official podcast of Kirk & Callahan, as Kirk and Gerry acknowledge their first real on-air fight on that morning's show. The guys also discuss newbie Rich Keefe, Gary Tanguay, and Larry Bird's 60th birthday